Safety mechanism for preboarding machines



Oct. 11, 1949. F. BACKHUS 2,484,668

SAFETY MECHANISM FOR PREBOARDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 25, 1947 3 S.heets-Sheet 1 Oct. 11, 1949. F. BA'cKHus 2,484,658

SAFETY MECHANISM FOR PREBOARDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fred BdCA /ZU S @ksW Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES SAFETY MECHANISM FOR PREBOARDING MACHINES Fred Backhus, Carlstadt, N. J assignor to Proctor & Schwartz, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 25, 1947, Serial No. 770,364

20 Claims. (01. 223-76) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in preboarding machines commonly used in the processing of, nylon stockings of both the flat knit full fashioned type and the circular knit seamless type. More particularly the present invention relates to new and useful improvements in preboarding machines of the type described in United States Patent No. 2,419,- 645 dated April 29, 19 47.

Nylon stockings, after structural completion, and usually before dyeing and finishing, are initially placed on individual forms to receive a setting treatment wherein the stockings are caused to conform to and permanentlyacquire the shape and size of these initial forms. After the setting treatment, the stockings are stripped from they initial forms to be run through the usual hosiery finishing process which includes the placing of the stockings On other individual forms for flnal drying.

In preboarding machines of the type with which the present invention is concerned, a plurality of the initial forms are respectively arranged for relative pivotal movement in vertical planes radiating from a common vertical axis so that the initial forms with stockings thereon may be close- 1y nested, to be enclosed by a vertically movable dome arranged with its axis coinciding with the common axis from which the vertical planes of operation of the forms radiate.

The vertically movable. dome isadapted to be lowered around the nested forms until the open base surface of the dome makes contact with a dome and the base surface of, the machine, after which the stockings on the forms are subjected to I the setting process which includes the entrance into the dome of steam under a predetermined 40 pressure.

After the stockings have been exposed to the j setting treatment for a predetermined length of time, the pressure fluid is-evacuated from the 45 remaining in the outward or spread position dome and the latter is raised to an extent where the open base surface of the dome assumes a plane above the upper ends of thene'sted forms.

The nested forms are then caused to swing out-. Wardly, about pivot points located adjacent the lower ends of the forms or boards, intheir respective radial planes, to spreadtheforms apart laterally with respect to each other to'facilitate 1 2 Outward swinging of the forms is effected by a common actuator ring disposed concentrically with respect to the axis from which the hosiery boards or forms radiate and is operable upwardly,

5 thereby actuating the nested forms about their pivot points.

After the individual forms have been swung outwardly, the machine operator strips the treated stockings from the radially spread forms and places a new group of stockings thereon after which, the forms are swung inwardly manually by the operator preparatory to treating the new group of stockings.

Before the forms with the new group of stockings thereon are swung inwardly, the actuator ring is moved from its maximum high position to a position intermediate that position and the maximum low position of the ring. The operating ring remains in this intermediate position while the operator manually swings the reclothed forms inwardly of the machine and by the time the last of the complement of hosiery laden forms has been swung inwardly into engagement with a common operating ring in its intermediate position,

as the entire complement of forms has become completely quiescent.

The operating ring then is lowered to itsmaximum low position, causing all of the forms simultaneously to descend gravitationally and uniformly in their individually radial planes until the maximum low position of the ring is attained and the forms are disposed in closely nested relation. By moving the actuator ring first to an intermediate position and then to its maximum low position, movement of the stocking forms as they descend into their final nested position is eifectively controlled and damage to the stockings on the forms by accidental contact between adjacent forms as they are swung into their final nesting relation is eliminated.

I In preboarding machines of the type described, it occasionally happens that the operator fails inadvertently to swing one or more of the stocking forms inwardly onto the actuator ring and proceeds to lower the dome with such form or forms thereof. In their spread position, the stocking forms lie in the path of downward movement of the dome and consequently, in the event that all of the forms are not swung inwardly clear of downward movement of the dome, the latter will strike the forms causing damage thereto as well as to the dome and possibly other parts and mech anisms of the machine.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention has for its object the provision in a preboarding machine of the type described of mechanism operable automatically to prevent the operator of the machine from lowering the dome in the event that one or more of the stocking forms is in the outward or spread position thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism as set forth; which is operable to prevent movement of the actuator ring to its maximum low position and thereby preclude lowering of the dome of the machine in the event that one or more of the stocking forms;remains in thezout- Ward or spread position thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel mechanism, as setforth, which includes means associated with' each of the hosiery" forms operable in the outward or spread position thereof to be disposed in they path. ot'movement.

of the actuator ring and preclude movement.

thereof from its intermediate position to its maximum low position and subsequent lowering of the dome: I v

A. further object of the present invention is to provide: a novel safety mechanism for preboard ing machines,v as set forth, which ispositive and foolproof in operation and use.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features: and'ldetailsof the construction andnoperationthereofare hereinafter setforth. and: described with reference to the" accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l. is an elevationalview showing a preboarding machine of the present invention withthe dome raised and the stocking forms disposed. in the outwardror' spread. position thereof;

Fig; 2 isyaz viewsi'milar. toiLFig; 1. showing. the stocking formsv nested inwardly and seated' upon the actuator ring. in:v the: lowposition thereof previously mentioned;

Fig-;.3'is avi'ew similartoFigs; 1 and 2"showing the-dome in the lowered positionthereof in which it is disposed during processing of stockingson the nested-1 forms;

Fig. 4 is an-enlargedrifragmentary sectional' view vertically through: a. preboarding machine embodying. the present invention: showing the same, with the forms; nested. and the actuator ring initslow position, incon'junction with safety mechanism of the present invention in I association witha schematic arrangement of-ahydraulic 'system for actuating the chine;

Fig. 5 isan enlarged sectionalview takerron line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. G'is an enlarged fragmentary sectional'view several parts pf themashowing the actuator ring" in its maximum" ele vated position and the stocking forms in the full outward or'spre'ad positions thereof, thein' termediate position of the actuator ring being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. '7'is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken on line 'i-lof Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 isa detached-perspective viewof a'latch member that is associated with each of" the stocking forms and operates toprevent movement of the actuator ring to its maximum low position in the event'one-or morestocking for-ms are not swung inwardly and positioned against the actuator ring in the intermediate position thereof;

Fig. 9 is a detached: enlarged perspective-view of one of" the linkelementswhich" pivotally sup port each stocking form with respect tothe machine; I

Fig. 1011s an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig; S butsho'Wing the actuator ring in its maximum low position and the stocking forms in their final nested position thereon; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a control means embodied in the operating mechanism of the machine.

Referring. now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 4 6 and 10- thereof, the leg portions of the stocking forms I are each provided with a camming plate 2 which has a lower inner edge. 3 adapted tobe engaged by the vertically movable common actuator or operating ring 4. The plates 2 are connected by links 5 and 6 to stationary pivot blocks I mounted upon an annulansupport'ing member or the like 8 which is rotationally mounted or supported upon the base 9;: of: the preboarding machine, for example, by means. of rollers l0 and guides II. The circular member 8'has gear teeth [2 formed on its inner periphery and is rotationally driven by a spur gear l3 meshing therewith and mounted on a shaft M whichisd'riverr from any source ofro-' t'a-tion'al' power (not shown).

It will be notedwliatf the links 6 arerelatively longer thanthelinks fiand that the pivots l5 and I 6' on the plates tare-spaced apart a greater distance than the pivots fll-l and on the blocks. 1; whereby the: base?ends of the 'forms. I are bodily moved radially outward,.-'-by the ring. A, while the upperfoot portions .ofithe forms swing outwardly onarcs complementary to. the arcs followed by the wider spacedr pivots; I 5 and I6 of the links 5 and fii-aboutithe scloser spaced. pivots H and I8 on the blocks. I.

The operating ring-I is actuated: vertically by a plurality of pistons; 20 operating. within cylinders 21'. Eachofthepistonshasapistonrod 22 which extends vertically upward through theend.

of it's cylinder zl andthebasee of the machine, and each rod 22 is provided with a head 23- that is adapted to engage againstthe' underside of the operating ring 41 Also-connected to 'oneiof the pistons 2flban'd' projectingr vertically: downward exterior l yofits cylinder 21' is a rod 24; the purpose fonw-hic'hwill be set forth hereinafter. The pistons 20 are actuated upwardlyby fluid pressure ad'mitted to tlieir "cylinders 21 through pipes 25 to-which pressure fluid is supplied in turnby a pipe 26 through a piston-typevalve 27' containing a piston 28 slidable tlierein and normally biased by a spring 2-9 to the position shown in Figz-4. The upper endsof thecylind'ers 2i are connectedby pipes 30 ti) a sump 31-, and the valve=21 likewise is-conriectedtosaidsump 3| by a pipe 32.

The--dome-3'3 israiSed bymeans of a piston 34 slidable within a cylinder 35 which extends coaxially of the' preboarding' machine. Pressure fluid toraise the pistorr 34" admitted to the cylinder 35 at' the lower endthereof through a pipe 36 which has its other end connected to the valve 21 and normally closed by the piston 28 therein acting" under the influence of I the spring or' bias 29. Intermediate-its ends, the pipe 36 is connected by" a branch 31 to a control valve The intake of the rotary pump d sconnected-by a pipe 46 to the aforesaid sump 3| and a by-pass 41 is provided to said sump from the pipe 43 which leads from the discharge of the pump, 44 to the four-way valve 4|.

The movable element 50 of the four-way valve 4| is provided with arcuate passages 5| and 52 therein operable in various rotary positions of element to to connect'the pipes 39 and 49 selectively to the pipes 42 and 43 as the case may be. Rotation of the element 50' of the four-way valve 4| is effected in the illustrated embodiment of the invention by means of a manually operated handle 60 which is fixed on the outer end of a shaft 6| that is rotationally mounted in a sector plate or the like 62 having projecting stops 63 and 64 which operate to confine movementof the handle 69 within predetermined flxedlimits. The shaft 6| operates through a link 65 rod 66, bell crank 61, rod 68 and link 69 on the shaft of the valve element 50 to control rotational movement of the latter.

In this connection, it is to be pointed out that the described connections between the manually operable handle 60 and the valve element 50 are such that in the position of the handle 60 shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the position of the valve element 59 is such that the passage 5f therein interconnects pipes 40 and 43, while the passage 52 interconnects pipes 39 and 42; and in the central or intermediate position of the handle 60, the valve element 50 is positioned as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings so that all intercommunication between the pipes 39, 40, 42 and 43 is completely shut ofi; while in the position of the handle 69 shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the position of the valve element 50 is such that the passage 5| therein interconnects pipes 40 and 4 2, and the passage 52 therein interconnects the pipes 43 and 39. g

Accordingly, and assuming that the machine and its several parts are in the condition shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and that a stockin processing operation has been completed, the treating fluid is exhausted from the interior of the dome 33 and the operator manually actuates the handle to the right-hand position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings against the stop 64, thereby positioning the element 50 of the valve 4| so that the pipe 43 is connected through the passage 5| with the pipe and the pipe 39 is connected through the passage 52 with the pipe 42 leading to the sump 3|. Fluid pressureat the left-hand end of the piston 38a in the valve 38. is thus exhausted to the sump 3| while pressure fluid discharged by the continuously operating pump 44 is introduced into valve 38 at the righthand side of the piston therein, thereby actuatin said piston to the left-hand position thereof shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. a

Connected to the piston of the valve 38 is a red in which projects outwardly endwise of the valve and carries at its free'end a cam member I! having an inclined face 12 in contact witha cam roller 13 mounted in a stirrup-like member 14 that is secured at the lower end of a depending rod connection 15. The rod connection (5- atits upper end is secured to a cross-head or the like '56 having a central hub portion that is slidable vertically upon the dome piston cylinder 35 and is provided with radially extending arms 11, having laterally projecting pins 18 therein that slid ably engage slots 19 in the inner ends of c-shaped These clamps 80 are pivotally mounted at 8| circumferentially' oi;' the base of the machine and include end'portions 82f clamp members 80.

which operate to engage downwardly on the bottom flange portion 33a of the dome and clamp the same securely in fluid tight relation against a gasket 83 secured in the peripheral portion of the machine base 9. The cross-head member 13 and its associated rod connection 15, stirrup 14 and roller 13, normally are biased by means of a spring or the like 84 to the upper or raised position, shown in Fig. 4, in which the clamps are disengaged from the flange 33a of the dome.

By this construction and arrangement, when the manually operable handle 69 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings to position the valve 4| so as to cause pressure fluid to flow from the pump 44 through pipes 43 and 49 to the valve 38 thus actuating its piston to the left-hand position shown in Fig. 4, as previously described, the cam 1| likewise is moved to the left with respect to Fig. 4, thus causing the cross-head 16 to be moved vertically upward by the spring 94 with resulting disengagement of the clamps 80 from the bottom flange 33a of the dome 33, thereby releasing the latter so that it can be raised. v

Actuation of the piston 38a to the position shown in Fig. 4 also causes pressure fluid to flow from the valve 38 through the branch 31 and pipe 33 to the dome cylinder 35 thereby actuating the piston 34 and dome 33 upwardly to the full raised position thereof.

Means are provided for locking the piston 38a of the valve 38 in the position to which actuated during the period that the dome 33 has its bottom flange portion 33a elevated out of sealing engagement with the gasket 83 in the base 9 of the machine. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention this is accomplished by providing a vertically slidable rod or plunger having its upper end disposed for engagement by the bottom flange 33a of the dome, as shown in Fig. 4, and its lower end disposed in engagement with the outer end portion of a generally Z-shaped lever 9| which is pivotally mounted at 92 adjacent its other end, and has suitable connection with a latch member 93 that is vertically slidable into and out of the path of the right-hand end portion of the cam H. The lever 9| normally is urged in the counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 92 by means of a spring 94. The construction and arrangement generally of the plunger 90, and lever 9| and latch 93 is such that, when the dome 33 is in its fully lowered position, the flange 33a thereof actuates the plunger 90 downwardly thereby rotating the lever 9| clockwise against its spring bias 94, thereby raising the latch 93 out of the path of the cam block II. On the other hand, just as soon as the dome 33 starts to move upwardly and the bottom flange 33a thereof moves out of engagement with thesealing gasket 84, the plunger 90 is permitted to move upwardly, thus allowing the lever 9| to move counter-clockwise about its pivot under the influence of its spring 94 and thereby actuating the latch member 93 downwardly into the path of the cam block H to lock the piston 38a in the left-hand position shown.

During elevation of the dome as described, the piston 28 of valve 2! is retained in the position shown in Fig. 4 against the pressure of the I fluid in pipe 36 by means of the aforesaid spring bias 29, with the result that flow of pressure fluid in line 36 to the ring elevating cylinders 2| is prevented during elevation of the dome.

When the piston 34 and dome 33 have been.

actuated'upwairdly to the *limit 'of'movemmt by} the admission "of pressure fluid into the cylinder-QSLthr-oughthe pipe 36, as previously described, the pressure ofthe fluid in the system continuesto build up or is increased to a point where the pis-tonQ-IB of the valve 27 is actuated i'to'the lei t with-respect to Fig. 4 against-the bias ofi-tssprin 29, thereby admitting pressure fluid through-the valve -27 and pipe 2-6 to the pipes 25 and cylinders 2i. Admission of pressure fluid to the cyiinders-Ttat-the underside of the pistons 20 causes the latter "to be operated upwardly together with their piston rods "22 and head elements 23, thereby actuating the operating ring 4 upwardly intothe solid line position .shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, and in turn causing the stocking' forms to beiactu'ated outwardly by the ring intothe divergingior spread relationshi shown "l of the-drawin s.

in this position oiffthe "forms I, the. processed stockings are removed therefrom and a group of new stockings fto'be processed are placed on the forms. During this stripping or .recloth'ing of the ,forms I, or when it has been completed, the operator movesthe manually operable .contr'ol'handle 6.0 Iro'mthe position shown in Fig. .1 of the drawings to the intermediate -or central positionithereoi'shown in Figs. .2 and 4. Actuation' of the "handle 69 into this intermediate position operates to position the element 5i) of the four-Way valve M as shown in Fig. 4 so that intercommunication between the several pipes 43, 60,39 and 42 is completely cutoff. The pressure fluid discharged by the pump 44 thus no longer is acting upon the piston 28 of the valve 21 and the latter is returned by its spring '29 to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings against the static fluid head in the cylinder :35 and pipe as. Movement of the valve piston 28 to the position shown in Fig. ,4: opens a by-pass 26a from the pipe 26 through the valve .2] and .Pipe 32 to the sump at so pressure fluid in the cylinders 2!, will bleed therefrom back through the pipeszls and valve .22 to the sump 31., thereby causing the pistons 29 to be lowered under the force of a spring 95 acting on the actuator ring of and causing saidactuator ring 4 likewise to move downwardly.

Provision is. made for arresting downward movement of the actuator ring 4 in an intermediate position between the maximum high and maximum low positions thereof. Referring to Figs. 4 and 11 of the drawings, this is accom plished in the present instance by providing in the .pipe 32 leading from the valve 2 to sump 31 a. normally open solenoid-operated valve. 91L The solenoid 9.6a of this valve is electrically connected across .a pair of line terminals 91 by means of an electrical circuit which includes (a. manually operable pushbutton type switch 9.8 that normallyv is biased to closed position by means of a spring 99, and .a mechanically operable switch lllii having a pivoted contact arm IIH which normally is held in open circuit relation by means of aspiring l 0.2, the said arm I01 carrying a roller H13 which is adapted toridealong the aforesaid plunger 24. The plunger 2.4 has a projection 24a thereon disposed in the path of the. roller m3 and predeterminedly positioned longitudinally of the plunger 24 to engage said roller and actuate the arm MI in the counterclockwise direction at the proper time, thereby closing the switch 100 and energizing the solebold to close valve 96. Closure of valve 98 prerfiudes further "bleeding or pressure iiuid from the cyiinders 21 throught'he valve 2'! to the sump t l, andhence further downward movement of the pistons 20 and actuator ring i is prevented and the latter is thus retained in the intermediate position shown, for example, in dotted-Rimes in Fig. 6"of the drawings.

Withthe 'actuatorgring 5 in its intermediate position, the reclptl'ied forms I are manually swung inwardly by the operator of the machine so thatthe edges-3 off thefplates 2 thereof engage the declining peripheral surface of the ring '5 and are supported thereby, With all of the forms i swung .inward'lyand resting upon the actuator ring d in the intermediate Position thereof, the operator pushes switch '98 thereby de'energizing solenoid 96d and opening valve 96 to cause the pistons 2i) and fing'd to move downwardly from said intermediate position to the maximum low position' th'er'eof under the weight of the ring and the reclothed forms supported there y.

The handle 6'0 may now be manually actuated by the operator into the left-hand position thereor shown injFigJit" of the drawings, thereby position'ing the element 59 of the valve (H so that its passage 51 interconnects the pipes it and is, while the passage '52 is disposed to interconnect the pipe-s43 and 3%. Interconnection of the pipes 3'13 and M in this manner causes the pressure fluid in the dome piston cylinder to bleed therefrom-through pipe {35, valve 3%, pipes iii and 42 to't'he sump 31, With:the result that the piston 34' and dome 3'3 move downwardly under the infiuence'of gravity." Downward movement of the dome "33' 'coirtinue'suntil its bottom flange portion 33a moves into sealing engagement with the gashot 83 in the base 9 of the machine. Just prior to-moving into engagement with the gasket E3, the dome bottom ,fiange 33a actuates the plunger 98" downwardly, thereby in turn actuating the lever 9| clockwise about its pivot 92 and moving the latch member 93 vertically upward out of the path ofthe cam block Tl, all against the action or spring 9%.

' Upon movement o-f'the latch 93 out of the path of cam block "lhfpressure fluid from the pump 4'4, acting-on the' le ft hand end of the piston 38a of valve 38, Willact-uate said piston to its extreme right-hand position (Fig. 4), thereby actuating the cam block I to the right and causing it to actuate the roller-113" and its associated stirrup l4, rodconnection J5 and cross-head l6 vertically downwardflagainst the tension of the spring bias 84. Actuation-of the cross-head 76 down- 'wardiy,'as described, operates to actuate the clamps 88 about their pivots 81 so that their ends 82 engage inwardly-and downwardly upon the bottom flangefla of the dome 33 and secure the same in sealing en agement upon the aforesaid gasket 88. "'Ireatingfluid may then be caused to now into the] interior of the dome 33 for treatment of stockings therein,

. As previouslystatedherein, it is desirable that pmvision'be made for preventing lowering of the.

dome 33' in theevent" that the operator inadvertently failsto swing oneor more of the forms inwardly from its outwardly or spread position. In accordancefw'iththe present invention, this may beacco-mplis'hed, forexample, by providing in association with each of the stocking forms l alat'ch lHHsee'Fig. .8) which is mounted upon no stationary pivot blocks 7! for sliding movementin .a ,radialfldirection within predetermined limitszde't'ermined by the length of a slot 'l'll therein through which passes a screw H2,

The forward or inner end of each latch III! has a depending flange or foot portion I I3, the under surface of which is adapted to slidably rest upon the upper surface of the rotationally mounted annular support member 8. On the other hand, the outer or rearward end of each latch member III) is provided with an upstanding lug or portion II4 which is disposed for engagement by relatively spaced abutments H5 and H6, respectively, provided at the lower end of the link 5 and arcuately spaced 90 apart with respect to the axis of the lower pivot I! of the link.

The construction and arrangement of the latch members H and the spaced abutments H and IIS on the links 5 are such that, as the forms I move into their outward or spread relationship, the abutment II 5 of the link 5 engages the lug I I4 of the latch members IIII, thereby actuating the latter radially inward and disposing the inner end thereof into the path of vertical movement of the form actuator ring 4 in a manner such that, so long as any one latch member H0 is disposed in the path of the actuator ring 4, the latter cannot be moved to its maximum low position shown in Fig. of the drawings. The abutment I I6, on the other hand, is disposed and arranged so that as the forms I are swung inwardly from their outwardly or spread positions the aforesaid lugs II4 of the latch members III) are engaged and actuated radially outward so that the inner end of the latch member is removed or withdrawn from the path of vertical travel of the actuator ring 4 and the latter is free to continue its downward movement 'to its maximum low position.

cooperatively disposed in engagement with the lower end of the previously mentioned plunger 24 that is carried by one of the pistons is an arm I20 that is pivotally mounted at one end, as indicated at I2I, to a fixed post or standard I22 and has its other end interconnected by means of a, spring I23 to a bracket I that is fixed to a depending fixed post or standard I26, the arrangement being such that the spring I23 normally urges the arm I20 in the clockwise direction about its pivot I2I with the resulting force being exerted upwardly thereby against the piston plunger 24.

Connected to the arm I20, at a point relatively remote from its pivot I2 I, is one end of the actuator wire or element I21 of a flexible cable I28 which leads to the handle mounting plate 62 and has its other end connected to a relativel larger pin element I29 that is arranged to be projected into the path of movement of the manually operable member 60 and prevent movement thereof from the intermediate position shown in Figs. 2 and 4 to the extreme left-hand position of the handle shown in Fig. 3.

With the handle I and valve M in the intermediate position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and the cylinders 20 being connected to the sump 3| through the valve 21, as previously described, lowering of the actuator ring 4 and pistons 20 is accomplished gravitationally principally through the weight of the actuator ring 4 (assisted initially by spring 95 and later by the weight of the forms) acting against the pressure fluid in the system and the counter-bias of the spring I23 associated with the arm 29. Consequently, when the actuator ring 4 has been lowered to its intermediate position and, if all of the forms I have been swung inwardly into seating engagement thereagainst, when the operator presses switch 98 the weight of the ring and the added weight of the terms will cause the ring to move from its intermediate position to its maximum low position with accompanying final inward movement of the stocking forms as a group to the nested position thereof, shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

At the same time the final downward movement of the piston 20 against the fluid in the system and the counter-bias of the spring 23 causes the plunger 24 likewise to be actuated downwardly resulting in limited actuation of the arm I23 in the counter-clockwise direction about its pivot I2I against the action of the spring I23. Movement of the arm I20 in this manner exerts a pull upon the wire or core element I2'I ,of the flexible cable I28 to an extent that the pin I29 connected to the other end thereof is moved to the left with respect to Fig.5 sufiiciently to withdraw it from the path of movement of the manually operable handle 60, whereupon the latter may be actuated into the extreme left-hand position shown in Fig. 3 thereof to cause lowering of the dome 33 in the manner previously described herein.

However, when the actuator ring 4 is in the intermediate position described, should the operator inadvertently fail to swing all of the forms I inwardly into position against the declining surface of the ring so that any single form is allowed to remain in theoutward or spread position thereof, the latch member I I l] associated with the said form, will not be retracted from the path of vertical movement of the actuator ring 4, but will remain in the inwardly projected position thereof shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing and thereby preclude downward movement of the actuator ring 4 to its maximum low position.

The piston 20likewise is held against further downward movement by the pressure fluid in the system and by the force of the spring I23 acting through the arm I20 upon the depending plunger 24'. Accordingly, the plunger 24 does not actuate the arm I20 in the counter-clockwise direction a distance sufficient to withdraw the pin I29 from the path of movement of the manually operable M 7 handle 60, and the operator is thereby precluded from'moving the handle from the intermediate position to the extreme left-hand position thereof to lower the dome 33 so long as any one of the plurality of forms I remains in the outward or spread position thereof.

Upon finding that he cannot move the handle 60 to the extreme left-hand position to lower the dome 33, the operator checks the forms and,-noting that one or more of them has been left in the outward or spread position, he swings it inwardly seating it against the ring 4 and thereby simultaneously withdrawing the associated latch member III'I from the path of vertical travel of said ring, whereupon the combined weight of the ring 4 and the forms I actuates the piston 20 and plunger 24 to the maximum low position thereof thus actuating the arm I20 in the counter-clockwise direction sufiiciently to retract the pin I23 from the path of movement of the handle 63 which may be moved immediately to the extreme left-hand position shown in Fig. 3, thereby positioning th valve 4| to effect lowering of the dome 33 and clamping thereof in closed position in the manner previousl described.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the present invention provides, in a preboarding machine of the type described, novel mechanism which is operable automatically to prevent lowering of the cover or dome in the eventthat one or more of the stocking forms is not swung inwardly and is allowed inadvertently to remain in the outer spread position thereof. The invention, furthermore, provides novel mechanism operable as described which is positive and foolproof in operation and use.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure, and changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking "forms pivotally mounted for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to "enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, an actuator movable from amaximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for effecting simul-' taneous movement of said forms from said inner nested to said outer-spread relation, said 'cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, means operable to'effect descent of said cover member, mechanism operable "in-the'high and intermediate elevations of-the actuator to prevent operation of saidlastmentioned means, and means operable in the outer spread relation of said forms to prevent descent of the actuator to its maximum low elevation and thereby prevent lowering of the cover until all of said-forms are swung inwardly from said outer spread relation 'to the intermediate spaced relation thereof.

2. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted at their lower ends for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, an actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for efiecting simultaneous movement of said forms from saidinner nested to said outer spread relation, said cover and .said actuator being constructed to descend from theirelevated positions gravitationally, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and. low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum-low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spacedrelation to said inner nested relation thereof, means operable to effect descent of said cover member, mechanism operable in the high and intermediate elevations of the actuator to prevent operation of said last mentioned means, and a member associated with each of said forms positionable in the path of the actuator upon movement of the forms to said outer spread relation, each member being operable to prevent. descentof the actuator to its maximum low elevation and thereby prevent lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly from said outer spread relation to the intermediate spaced relation thereof.

3. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, an actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for effecting simultaneous movement of said forms from said inner nested to said outer spread relation, said cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, means oper able to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, means operable to'effect descent of said cover member, mechanism operable in the high and intermediate elevations of 'the actuator to prevent operation of said last mentioned means, and a slidable latch member associated with each stocking for-m and actuable thereby into the path of downward movement of the actuator upon movement of said forms to said outer spread relation, each of said latch members being operable to prevent descent of the actuator to its maximum low elevation and thereby prevent lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly from said outer spread relation to the intermediate spaced relation thereof.

4. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted at their lower ends for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spreadrelation, a cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically ,to an elevated position above said forms, an actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a .maximum high elevation for effecting simultaneous movement ofsaid forms from said inner nested to said outer spread relation, said cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, control means operable in one position thereof to effect raising of said cover and actuator sequentially and in a second position to effect descent of said actuator while in a third position descent of said cover is offected, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said'forms simultaneously from. said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, mechanism operable to prevent movement of said control means from said second to said third position thereof in the high and intermediate elevations .of said actuator, and means operable upon movement of said forms to the outer spread relation thereof to prevent descent of said actuator to the maximum low elevation thereof so that said control means is precluded from movement to said third position to effect lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly to said. intermediate spaced relation thereof.

5. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted at their lower ends for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, an actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for effecting simultaneous movement of said forms from said inner nested to said outer spread relation, said cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, control means operable in one position thereof to effect raising of said cover and actuator sequentially and in a second position to effect descent of said actuator'while in a third position descent of said cover is effected, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, mechanism operable to prevent movement of said control means from said second to saidthird position thereof in the high and intermediate elevations of said actuator, and a member associated with each of said forms positionable in the path of the actuator upon movement of said forms to the outer spread relation thereof, each of said members being operable to prevent descent of said actuator to the maximum low elevation thereof so that said control means is precluded from movement to said third position to effect lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly to said intermediate spaced relation thereof.

6. In a stocking treating machine including a maximum low elevation to a maximumhigh ele-j vation for effecting simultaneous movement of said forms from said inner nested to said outer spread relation, said cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, control means operable in one position thereof to effect raising of said cover and actuator sequentially and in a second position to effect descent of said actuator while in a third position descent of said cover is effected, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, mechanism operable to prevent movement of said control means from said second to said third position thereof in the high and intermediate elevations of said actuator, and a slidable latch member associated witheach stocking form and a-ctuable thereby into the path of down- I ward movement of the actuator movement of said forms to the outer spread relationthereofl'each latch member being operable to prevent descent of said actuator to the maximum low elevation thereof so that said control means is precluded from movement to said third position to effect lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly to said intermediate spaced relation thereof.

7. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted at their lower ends for movementbe tween an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation third position descent of said cover is effected,- means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, means controlled by the position of said actuator operable to pre: vent movement of said control means from said second to said third position thereof in the high and'interme'diate elevations of said actuator and to permit said control meansto be moved to said third position in the maximum low elevation ,of said actuator, and means operable upon movement of said forms to the outer spread relation thereof to prevent descent of said'actuator to the maximumlow elevation thereof so that said. con trol means is precluded from movement to said third position to effect lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly tosaid intermediatespaced relation thereof, H

8. Ina stocking treating machine includinga plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotallymounted at'their lower ends formovementbetween an inner nested relation. and an outer spread relation, a'cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, an actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for I effectingv simultaneous movement'of said forms from said inner nested-to said outer spread rela tion, said cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevat ed positions gravitationally, control means. operable in one position thereof to effect raising of said cover and actuator sequentially and in asecond position to effect descent of said actuator while. ina third position descent of said cover is effected, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said inner nested relation thereof, means controlled by the position of said actuator operable to prevent movement ofsaid control means from said second to said third position thereof in the high and.

intermediate elevationsofsaid actuator and to *1: means: tonnes moved:- to said" thereon so that said control means is precluded;

from-"movement to said third position to: enact lowering: of the cover until all of said forms are swung: inwardly to said intermediate spaced rel'aum. thereof;

a; in: a stocking treathig' machine including plurality or vertical stocking forms pivotallymounted attliei r lower ends for movement bee tween an inner nestedrelation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to enclose said forms: said inner nestedrelation and movable vertically toan elevated position above saidformaam actuator movablefrom a maximum low elevation toamaximum high elevation for efl eetlng simultaneous movement of said forms from said" inner nested to said outer spread rela*- tion; said cover and said actuator being constructed'to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, control means operable in one; position thereof toefl e'ct' raising of said cover and actuator sequentially-and 'a second position to efl'ect descent of said actuator while in a third position descent of said cover is enacted, means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate saidhiglr and low elevati ons' thereof for engagement ,by' said descent of said actuator to said" maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate" spaced relation to said inner. ne'sted'relation thereof, means controlled by the position of said actuatoroperable to prevent movement of said control means from said. second; to said third position thereof in. the high and intermediate elevations of said actuator and to" permit said manual means to be moved to said third position in; the maximum low elevation of said actuator, and a sfidabl'e latch member associated with each stocking form and actuable' thereby into the path ofdownward movement of the actuator upon movement of sai'dforms to the outer spread relation thereof, each latch member being'operable' to'prevent descent of said actuator to themaximum'low'elevation thereof so that said control means is precluded from movement to saidi'iliird position to effect lowering ofthe cover until all of saidforms are swung" inwardly to said intermediate spaced relation thereof.

10.- In a stocking" treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted at their" lower ends for movement be tween an inner" nested relation and an outer spread relation; a cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated positioniabove said forms; a common actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation" for effecting simultaneous movement of said" forms to said" outer spread relation, fluid" op"- crafted means for raising said cover member to said elevated position and for raising said actuaf6 valve operable in"one limit position-temperate said valve to eiiect raisihg' ot' said cover and actuator sequentiallyand ih anintermediate position to operate said valve to eiiect'deseent of said actuator While-inthe other limit-position' said valve is said forms simultaneously fromsaidintermediate spaced relation tosaid inner nested relation thereof, a movablestop associated with said manual actuating means, connections between said stop and said actu'ator operablein the high and intermediate" elevations thereof to position said stop in the path of movement' of said manual actuating means and prevent movement thereof: from sai'di'ntermediate' position thereof to said other limit positiongand" nieanspositionablein the path of movement of said actuator upon movement of! said forms to" said outer spread relation operable to" prevent descent of the actuator to said low elevation thereofso'tli'at the stop is maintained in thepathofsaid'mianualactuating means tor from. said low' to said high elevation, said cover'and' said actuator being adaptedto descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, a pressure fiui'd system" connected" to said fluid op erated'means and includinga valve for controlling flow'of pressure fluid to and from said fluid" operated means; manual actuating means for said to. preclude movement thereof 'to said other limit position to lower the: cover until all" of saidiorms are; swung inwardly from said outer spread relation to the-intermediate spacedrel'ati'on thereof.

1'1; In a stocking treating machine including. a plurality of vert'ical stockingv forms pivotally mounted at their lower ends for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spreadrel'ation', a cover" member arranged to enclose said forms. in saicl'inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated" position above said forms, a common actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for effecting simultaneous movement of said forms to said'outer spread relation, fluid operated means for. raising said cover member to said elevated position and for raising said' actuator from said low to said high elevation, said cover and said actuator being, adapted to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally,v a pressure fluid system connected to said fluid operated'means and including alvalver for controlling the fiowof pressure fluid t'o'and from said fluid operated means,.manua1 actuatingmeans for said valve operable in one limit position. to operate said? valve toefi'ect raising of.said cover andactuas tor sequentially and? in ani'nfiermediate position to operate said valve to efi'ect descent of said actuator While in the other. limit. position said valve is positioned. to efiectid'escent. of said. cover, means including. an element movable concurrently with said actuator operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and. low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means independent of said con vent movement thereof from said intermediate position thereof to said other limit position, and a member associated with each of said stocking forms positionable in the path of movement of said actuator upon movement of said forms to said outer spread relation, each member being operable to prevent descent of the actuator to said low elevation thereof so that the stop is maintained in the path of said manual actuating means which is thereby precluded from movement to said other limit position to effect lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly from said outer spread relation to the intermediate spaced relation thereof.

12. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally mounted at their lower ends for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, 2. cover member arranged to enclose said forms in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, a common actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for effecting simultaneous movement of said forms to said outer spread relation; fluid operated means for raising said cover member to said elevated position and for raising said actuator from said low to said high elevation, said cover and said actuator being adapted to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, a pressure fluid system connected to said fluid operated means and including a valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to and from said fluid operated means, manual actuating means for said valve operable in one limit position to operate said valve to effect raising of said cover and actuator sequentially and in an intermediate position to operate said valve to effect descent of said actuator While in the other limit position said valve is positioned to effect descent of said cover, means including an element movable concurrently with said actuator operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means independent of said concurrently movable member to control further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation to said innernested relation thereof, a movable stop associated with said manual actuating means, connections between said stop and said actuator operable in the high and intermediate elevations thereof to position said stop in the path of movement of said manual actuating means and prevent move-.

ment thereof from said intermediate position thereof to said other limit position, and a slidable latch associated with each of said stocking forms actuable thereby into the path of downward movement of said actuator upon movement of said forms to said outer spread relation, each of said latch members being operable to prevent descent of the actuator to said loW elevation thereof so that the stop is maintained in the path of said manual actuating means to preclude movement thereof to said other limit position and lower the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly from said outer spread relation to the intermediate spaced relation thereof.

13. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of vertical stocking forms pivotally. mounted at their lower ends for movement between an inner nested relation and an outer spread relation, a cover member arranged to enclose said 18 forms insaid innerinested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said forms, a common actuatormovable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation for simultaneously effecting movement of said forms to said outer spread relation, fluid operated means for raising said cover member to said elevated position and for raising said actuator from said low to said high elevation, said cover and said actuator being adapted to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally, a pressure fluid; system connected tosaid fluid operated means and including a valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to and from said fluid operated means, manual actuating means for said Valve operable in one limit position to operate said valve to effect raising of said cover and actuator sequentially and in an intermediate position to operate said valve to effect descent of said actuator while in the other limit position said valve is positioned to effect descent of said cover, a second valve in said fluid systemfor'controlling descent of said actuator, means associated with said fluid system including an element movable concurrently with said actuator operable to effect actuation of said valve and arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof for engagement by said forms in an intermediate spaced relation, means for actuating said valve independently of said concurrently movable member to control further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation thereof and move said forms simultaneously from said intermediate spaced relation'to said inner nested t relation thereof, a movable stop associated with said manual actuating means, connections between said stop and said actuator operable in the high and intermediate elevations thereof to position said stop in the path of movement of said manual actuating means and prevent movement thereof from said intermediate position thereof to said other limit position, and means positionable in the path of movement of said actuator upon movement of said forms to said outer spread'relation operable to prevent descent of the actuator to said low elevation thereof so that the stop is maintained in the path of said manual actuating means which is thereby precluded from movement to said other limit position to effect lowering of the cover until all of said forms are swung inwardly from said outer spread relation to the intermediate spaced relation thereof.

14. In apparatus of the type described, a cover member movable vertically to an elevated position, an actuator movable from a maximum low elevation to a maximum high elevation, said cover and said actuator being constructed to descend from their elevated positions gravitationally,

means operable to arrest descent of said actuator at an elevation intermediate said high and low elevations thereof, means to effect further descent of said actuator to said maximum low elevation, means operable to effect descent of said cover member, mechanism controlled by the position of said actuator operable to prevent operation of said last mentioned means in the high and intermediate elevations of said actuator, and means operable in one position thereof to prevent descent of said actuator to the maximum low elevation thereof to preclude lowering of the cover.

15. In a stocking treating machine including a plurality of stocking forms pivotally mounted for movement between an inner nested relation and outer spread'relation, a vertically movable member arranged in the low position thereof to supatesaid inner' nested-"- and outer spread relations thereof; and means-associatediwith eaeh stocking form and a'etuable -tl-iereby into trie-path of downward -movement' of tn'e member in the elevat'edpo siti'on L thereof I upo'n movement of said stocking forms fromsaid intermediateposition to said out:

er spread'relatior-rthereof each" of said meansloein' operable to prevent movement of said member irom said elvatecl position totliezlow position tie-erect until all of tIiestoBlfinE forms are swung inwardlyfi'orrrsaid outer spread' relati'on to the intermediateposition tl-iereof resting on said member:

17. In a stoclz'ii-igtreating maoh in'e including a pluralityor stooking-- formspivotally' mounted for"movement between arr inner-nested relation and outer spread -rel'atiorrg" a' vertica'l-lv movable member arrang'ed' irrthe loW'po'sition thereof to support the stocking forms in said inner nested relation" andin" an elevated position thereof to supporu the stooling 'forms in r a positiom intermediate said inner nested and outer sm'eaol rela tion's-tliereoi and latolimeans operativelw asst) oiated each stocking form-and slidalile'ther'e by intotlie patli of downward' movement or tlie member the elevatedposition thereof upon movement -of 'said stooliirgformsflfrom said' 'im termediate position to saidouter spread relation thereof; ea'el'i'of said latoli means beizrg operable to prevent movement of saidmember from said elevated posi-tion to the-low position tliereoi uritil all oi the: stocking" form's ates swunginwardly from saiei' outenspreaddelation to -tlie' interrn e diate': position tlrereof'iresting on said memben lily-Iii: a: stocking treating maeliine including a: plurality of stocking-forms pivotally mounted for 'niovem-en-t between an inner nested relationand": an outer spread) relttlllja a vertiealry: mov able membei arranged in the lovwposition thereot tosupp'o-rt' tne 'stooking forms'irr rsaid i'nner nested relation: and- 111? an elevated position tl'iereof t'o supporti said stocking former: in al nositi'onin-ter' mediate seidrinner:nestedlandoouter spread rela tions thereof; a .cover arrangedrtoz: enclose-" said forms-in saidnnner nestedzlrelartionzandamovable vertioallyato an elevatedzpositiortaldoive said'for'm's'; meohanism: for: raising; and: lowering: said coverand aetuator including; means: opera-bl'e to: pre vent =lowering;.:of fthe; cover while: said anemben-is insaid elevatedspositionl ammhmeanseonerableeim the: outer spread relation; of== said; stocking forms to prevent movementrofujsaidi member; from said elevated position toethev.lowepositiorxltlrereofziuntil all of the stock-l n formsare-swungeinwardlyrfrom said outer spread relation ttw the-= intermediate all positmmtnereor resting on said 'member whereby the cover is I prevented from 1oWerin'g-= so Iong' aS any: of the stocking forms remainsin the" outer spread relation;

19; In" a stocking-treating machine including a plurality of stocking forms-pi'vot'ally mounted fol movement between an inner nested relation and an -o'uter spread relation, a vertically movable member arranged inthe low po'sitionthereof tb support the stocking forms in said inner nested relation and in an elevated 1 position thereof to support said" stocking forms in a position inter mediate said inner nested and outer spread" re lations thereof; a'cover arranged toenclose saiii forms" in said inner nested relation and movable vertically to an elevated position above said'form's; mechanism for raising and lowering said cover and aotuaton including means operable tdpr'e vent lovvering of the cover while said member is 3 in: said elevated position,- and' means associated witn each stocking form-and" a-ctuable thereby inwtne path of downward movement of the member inthe elevated position thereof upon movement of said stoeking forms from 'said'inter mediate position to-said outer spread relation thereof," eac'h of said means being'oper'ableto prevent movement ofsaiddnember from the'elevated positionto thelower position'th'ere'of until allot the stocking forms are swung-inwardlv from said outer spread relation to the-intermediate posi tion' there-of resting on said actuator whereby lowering of the cover is prevented so long as" any oi said forms remains in the-outer spread rela tion.

20. In a stocking treating"machineincluding a; plurality of stockingforms pivotally'mounted for movement betweenan'inne'r nested relation" and an outer spread relation; a vertically movable member arranged-in the low position thereof to support the stocking forms-in said innernested relation an'dfin'an elevated'position thereof to support'said'stocking forms in a position inter mediate said" inner nested and outer spread" re lation's thereof, a cover arranged to 'enclose said" form's insaid inner nested relation and movable vertioallyto an elevated position above 'saidforms', mechanism for raising and lowering said cover an'd' aetuatorincluding means oper'ableto pr'e vent lowering of'the cover while said m'emlieri'is in said eleva-ted position; and lateh means operatively' con'neoted with each stocking form and slidable thereby into the p'atH- or downward movement'- of the member in the elevated posi tion' -tl iereof" upon movement of"said* stocking forms" fromsaid" intermediate position to said FRED BACKHUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following refrenoes are" of record in tile" file of this patent:' I

UNITEDIs-IIATESLPATENTS Number" Name Date 2;419,6'451 Hurxtliall Apr; 29, 1947'; 

